​Underwater

Waves lapped at the shore, the sea foam contrasting with the deep blue of the ocean. The sun warmed the sand beneath me, as if gifting the ground a fragment of its celestial fire. Steadily, I took a step forward; the cool of the ocean wrapped around my feet, offering relief. The submerged sand was cold now; it held the sea and its hidden world of tiny, unseen lives. I felt a bump where an oyster resided; its shell stood out amongst the soft, pliant sand. The further I went, the more the water encompassed me. It seeped into my skin, clinging to every surface it could find. Occasionally, my feet tangled in seaweed, its green, sinuous tentacles holding a strong grasp over my ankles. I was chest-deep in the water now. I could no longer see my feet or the ocean floor — only my reflection and the lone grains of sand floating around, the surface now a deepening navy mirror. The breeze fluttered alongside the currents, carrying a salty spray and crisp air. I inhaled deeply as I ventured forward. I swam through the water, fighting against the waves. My face burned beneath every ray of sunlight, so I dipped my head underwater. Immediately, relief flooded me as the water cooled my blazing skin. A filter dimmed the sounds of the world above; the sweet hum of currents and the echoes of my breathing were all that remained. The saline water bled into my face, stinging my eyes and leaving a briny taste on my tongue. I forced my head back out of the water, gasping. I looked back; I was far from shore now. The golden sand lay distant, another world away. The people at the beach – playing volleyball, tanning, and splashing water around – seemed like fragments of a forgotten dream. I turned again, gazing at the expanse of the ocean — its coruscating surface and the blazing sun above. I dove back into the water, limbs working tirelessly to carry me forward. My fingers cradled the waves, water slipping between them. Stroke by stroke, the water claimed me. I gave in to the currents, working with them to dive deeper. My hair flowed behind me in waves. The pressure built; I could feel the weight of the sea pressing me downward. Yet there was no fear — only surrender, to the sea’s dark promises of safety. I turned around and saw the light seeping through, delicate rays painted with crystal blue. The cold embrace of the sea welcomed me into the depths, trickling into every part of me. The silence was absolute — not emptiness, but peace. My last breath bubbled to the surface. The salt no longer stung, as I called the sea my home.